Prosecutors hope to appeal the conditional release of Michael Breit today.
By CORINA CURRY, Rockford Register Star
ROCKFORD -- A judge has ordered the conditional release of a Rockford man who kept a hit list of high-ranking U.S. officials and celebrities, such as former Attorney General Janet Reno and filmmaker Michael Moore.
Michael Breit, 20, faces federal explosives charges. Police found the hit list in his apartment last month along with an arsenal of firearms, knives, bomb-making materials, ammunition, such books as "The Anarchist Cookbook" and "The Turner Diaries," and threatening personal writings and drawings.
There were seven names on the list: Reno, Moore, U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, Sarah Brady, Rosie O'Donnell, U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle and Dan Ortiz, whom court documents say is a political supporter of presidential candidate John Kerry. Each name had the word "marked" written next to it. Breit allegedly told investigators that meant "marked to die."
U.S. Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney, who denied Breit's release pending charges last month, reversed his decision Monday afternoon after hearing testimony from the man's mother, Leslie Breit, and grandfather, Gordon Breit, both of Rockford.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Iasparro hopes to appeal Mahoney's decision today. Iasparro will argue that Breit is a danger to the community and should be incarcerated. Breit's release is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Parties are due to appear before U.S. District Judge Philip Reinhard at 9 a.m.
Mahoney made Leslie and Gordon Breit promise to enforce the conditions of Michael Breit's release before agreeing to let Breit spend the next several months at home as attorneys in the case prepare for trial. He also made them promise that they would notify him immediately if any of the conditions were broken.
If they are, "I guarantee you'll be back in orange real fast," Mahoney warned Breit before adjourning for the day.
"I'll see you tomorrow, buddy," James Breit called out to his son as U.S. marshals led Michael Breit out of the courtroom.
Rockford police took Breit into custody April 18 after investigating a report of shots fired at Breit's Sunnyside Drive apartment. Breit told police he accidentally shot a round from his new AK-47 assault rifle into a door frame as he attempted to dismantle the gun. Police asked Breit if they could look around. That's when they discovered the cache of guns and bomb-making materials.
Breit allegedly told investigators that he was stockpiling weapons in case there was a revolution and he needed to use them against liberals. Police say they found an essay Breit wrote, "Revolutionary Strike Force," which outlined a plan to kill 1,500 people at a Democratic presidential caucus.
Breit faces federal charges of illegally receiving explosives with intent to use them to kill, injure or intimidate any person, or damage or destroy any property. If convicted, Breit could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Breit, who pleaded not guilty last week, will be allowed to leave his parents' home only to meet with his attorneys, attend church, see the doctor, appear in court and seek mental-health counseling. The Breits are not allowed to have any firearms, explosives, alcohol or drugs in their home.
